My Word for 2026: Tethered
Hey friend—so glad you’re here.
I wanted to share my word for the year. I don’t usually do the “word of the year” thing. Partly because it’s new to me, and partly because I used to think, What’s the point? (Also… it felt a little like praying for patience. Risky business. 😅)
But in December, God gave me my word for 2026, and it hit me deep:
Tethered.
At first, I only heard “tethered” in a negative way—like unhealthy ties, draining relationships, or being stuck. But the Holy Spirit has been reframing it for me.
The healthiest tether is the one that keeps me connected to Him.
And honestly… I’ve been carrying a lot. So when this word came, it felt like God saying, “You need a healthier connection. A safer one.”
Okay but… what does “tethered” even mean?
The verb tether means to secure something with a rope or chain so it can move, but only within limits.
Don’t worry. I’m not chaining myself to a church chair or supergluing my Bible to my hand. That would be… a lot. 😂
But I do love the picture: a tether isn’t always about restriction. Sometimes it’s about safety. Like, “Stay close enough to what keeps you grounded.”
The reframe that wrecked me (in a good way)
One of the most impacting statements I heard at the TTS 2026 Vision Workshop was:
“Trust the slow work of transformation.”
Whew. Because I love instant change. I love “I prayed and now I’m cured.” I love a neat little bow.
But what God is doing in me? It’s slower. It’s deeper. And it requires staying connected on purpose.
My Scripture anchor: Abide
God took me straight to John 15:4–5:
“Abide in me, and I in you… apart from me you can do nothing.”
That word abide gets me every time—remain, stay, make your home here.
Because fruit doesn’t come from me trying harder.
Fruit comes from staying attached.
And another verse that keeps coming up for me is Ephesians 4:32—being tenderhearted, kind, forgiving. Not just toward others… but honestly, also in the posture of my heart. Especially when I’m overwhelmed and not my best self.
Confession: my “toxic tethers”
Y’all. It’s wild how quickly God will show you what you’re tethered to once you ask Him.
And I hate admitting this, but I need to say it out loud:
I can waste so much time on little games on my phone… or building giant pretend shopping carts on Shein/Temu… or watching “deal” videos and life-hack stuff.
Biggest time suck ever.
Not because any of that is inherently evil—just because it’s so easy for me to feed those habits until I’m full of distraction… and empty of peace.
And then I’m like, “God, why do I feel distant?”
Friend… if I’m feeding that tether all day, what time is left to feed my spirit?
What this means for my real life this year
This is what “tethered” looks like for me:
When I’m triggered → I tether. (Pause. Breathe. Pray before I react.)
When I’m tired → I tether. (Stop running on fumes and ask for strength.)
When I’m tempted to spiral → I tether. (Interrupt the cycle and reach for God first.)
And sometimes tethering looks holy and peaceful…
…and sometimes it looks like me whispering in the bathroom, “Help me, Holy Spirit.”
What I’m like when I’m not… vs. when I am
When I’m not tethered, my mental health gets loud. I get irritable. Curt. Reactive. And it’s like I’ve left sugar out for ants—inviting shame, accusation, and heaviness to swarm.
Then I spiral into: “I’m failing. I’m too much. I’m not enough.”
And that is not my identity in Christ.
But when I’m tethered—when I’m actually spending time in God’s presence—I’m just… better. Softer. Clearer. More grounded. I’m a better wife, mom, Nana, friend. Not perfect—just more like who I want to be in Jesus.
A few tools that are helping me stay tethered
Nothing fancy, just real-life stuff:
putting my phone far away during Bible time (or in a drawer)
worship on purpose (even one song changes my atmosphere)
setting reminders to pause and pray
keeping my Bible study things together (I literally found a little cart at Goodwill and it helps so much)
reaching out to people who will pray with me (because we aren’t meant to do this alone)
A short prayer
Holy Spirit, tether my heart to You.
When I’m overwhelmed, bring me back to Your peace.
When I’m reactive, slow me down.
When I’m tempted to numb or spiral, remind me that You are near.
Teach me to trust the slow work of transformation and help me abide in Jesus—moment by moment, day by day.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Before you go: What’s your word for 2026? And if you’re not doing a word, what’s one area where you want to stay more tethered to the Holy Spirit this year? Drop it in the comments so we can encourage one another—iron really does sharpen iron.
